Our Approach to Headache Disorders & Facial Pain
The Montefiore Einstein Headache Center is the first center in the world and an international leader in the field focused exclusively on the diagnosis and treatment of headache disorders and facial pain in adults and children. Our Center has more than 70 years of experience advancing clinical excellence and knowledge of headache disorders while our research has informed the development of the classification system for migraine and other headache syndromes, leading to their precision treatments.
Our interdisciplinary team of renowned experts treats the full spectrum of pediatric and adult headache disorders—including migraine, tension-type headache, hypnic headache and cluster headache, as well as those secondary to other medical and neurological conditions—to help minimize pain, optimize function and improve quality of life.
We are ranked in the top 1% of all hospitals in the nation for neurology, according to U.S. News & World Report, and an international referral site for complex headache cases.
Advanced Treatments
We provide the full range of treatments for migraine and other headache disorders, including both acute and preventive medications, neuromodulation devices, botulinum toxin (Botox) injections, peripheral nerve blocks, trigger point injections, biobehavioral treatments including biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapies, occupational and physical therapy, as well as personalized lifestyle modifications.
Research & Clinical Trials
During your initial visit, you will also be evaluated for clinical trial eligibility. As an established patient, this evaluation is ongoing as new clinical trials emerge on a yearly basis. Clinical trial participation occurs only after patient interest is established, inclusion criteria are met, and patient consent is obtained.
Our innovative research in headache disorders has led to the development of some of the earliest medications for migraines, which are still widely used today. Our researchers have been involved in studies of the latest acute treatments for migraines, along with the new class of monoclonal antibodies for prevention and a medical device study on transcranial magnetic stimulation to treat acute migraines. Our patients also have access to groundbreaking treatments through clinical trials.
Your Headache Center Team
Cynthia E. Armand, MD
Daniel N. Lax, MD
Richard B. Lipton, MD
Kristina M. Maselli, MD
Jelena Pavlovic, MD, PhD
Elizabeth K. Seng, Ph.D.
About Headaches
Headache disorders originate in the nervous system. They are one of the most common disorders and are sometimes associated with other conditions.
Headaches are often a secondary symptom of a sleep disorder. For example, tension-type headache is regularly seen in persons with insomnia or sleep-wake cycle disorders. Nearly 75 percent of individuals who suffer from narcolepsy complain of either migraine or cluster headache. Migraines and cluster headaches appear to be related to the number of transitions between rapid eye movement (REM) and other sleep periods an individual has during sleep. Hypnic headache awakens individuals mainly at night but may also interrupt daytime naps. Reduced oxygen levels in people with sleep apnea may trigger early morning headaches.